
The Chess Angle
The Chess Angle is the official podcast of the renowned Long Island Chess Club in NY. We discuss chess, tournament play, and improvement at the amateur and club level. Featured guests include titled players and dedicated amateurs. New episodes drop on Sundays. Web: www.thechessangle.com. Twitter (X): www.twitter.com/TheChessAngle. Email: info@thechessangle.com. Thank you for listening and we hope you win your next game!
Latest episodes

Apr 20, 2025 • 38min
Ep. 149: Build Your Technique, Build Your Rating: The Game-Changer You Need
This episode is a review of the chess.com course "Build Your Technique" by FM Thomas Wolski. This is a highly recommended training module for adult players looking to improve. We also share some chess club stories, dive into the Listener Mailbag, and react to a chess.com article about common online time controls. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Apr 13, 2025 • 39min
Ep. 148: Can An Adult Beginner Reach 1600?
This week we discuss ratings and improvement for busy adults. You may wish to check out the Reddit post referenced in this episode. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Apr 6, 2025 • 40min
Ep. 147: Bird's Opening (1. f4), When to Sac a Piece (and when not to) at the Amateur Level, Material vs. Initiative & More (Game Analysis #13)
This episode is a thematic analysis of an amateur game with takeaways that are instruction rich. Topics covered: Bird's Opening (1. f4) Unnecessary defensive moves Sacrificing pieces Material vs. Initiative Calculation Central Control Referenced: Guide to a Successful Chess Club Game analyzed (G/90;d10): 1. f4 b6 2. Nf3 Bb7 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 e6 5. Bb2 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. c4 Nbd7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Qc2 Qc7 11. d4 cxd4 12. exd4 d5 13. Ne5 dxc4 14. bxc4 Rad8 15. Bd3 a6 16. Rae1 Qd6 17. Nb1 Qc7 18. f5? Nxe5! 19. dxe5 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 Ng4! 21.fxe6 Rxd3? 22. Qxd3 Nf2+ 23. Rxf2 Bxf2 24. exf7+ Rxf7 25. Rd1 Bxg2+?? 26. Kxg2 Qc6+ 27. Qd5 Qg6+ 28. Kh1 1-0 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Mar 30, 2025 • 37min
Ep. 146: Better Tournaments, Better Chess: Creating Ideal Playing Conditions
This episode is a response to FM Nate Solon's excellent blog posts I Don’t Like Chess Tournaments and What Would a Fun Chess Tournament Look Like? Neal reacts and shares his thoughts on weekend events including the following: The ideal time control & round times Delay vs. increment Club events vs. weekend tourneys Practical matters 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Mar 23, 2025 • 46min
Ep. 145: Correspondence Chess Success feat. NM Andy Ansel
In this conversation, Neal and return guest NM Andy Ansel dive into the world of correspondence chess, exploring its nuances, challenges, and Andy’s pursuit of the International Master (IM) norm. They discuss the differences between over-the-board and correspondence chess, the importance of openings, tips for those new to correspondence play, and the impact of technology on the game. Andy explains the dynamics of playing multiple games simultaneously and the strategies he employs to stay competitive. Additionally, he details his passion for archiving chess games, highlighting the significance of preserving historical games and the challenges involved. Referenced: International Correspondence Chess Federation Ep. 88: Amateur Chess Legend Andy Ansel on his Massive 15,000+ Book Collection I Don't Like Chess Tournaments (blog by FM Nate Solon) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Mar 16, 2025 • 39min
Ep. 144: Speed Chess Secrets: How 5-0 Blitz Can Supercharge Your Skills
5-0 blitz games can be an excellent chess improvement tool when used properly and judiciously. In this episode, we offer tips, tricks, and best practices. Referenced: Ep. 122: Online Blitz Chess and Adult Improvement 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Mar 9, 2025 • 43min
Ep. 143: Formal Chess Study Plans: Essential or Overhyped?
This week we discuss whether highly structured study plans are practical for busy amateurs. Neal concludes by sharing his own plan (HINT: it’s not complicated). Referenced: Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work? Ep. 105 (S7 Premiere): Declutter Your Chess Study Plan Build Your Technique by FM Thomas Wolski 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Mar 2, 2025 • 42min
Ep. 142: The Tactics vs. Imbalances Debate
This week's pod is a dedicated Listener Mailbag episode. We challenge some of the pushback that's out there about IM Jeremy Silman's system of imbalances and discuss some other topics as well. Referenced: Ep. 83 (S6 Premiere): Mastering the Middlegame for Club Players: The Legacy of IM Jeremy Silman Ep. 84: Mastering the Middlegame, Part 2: Are There Flaws With Silman's Imbalances? The Amateur’s Mind (Amazon) Mastering Chess Imbalances (YouTube) Father/Daughter Chess Tournament Contact Info (Alex and Acacea): Email Instagram 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee The Amazon link above is an affiliate link. Qualifying purchases help support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

Feb 23, 2025 • 58min
Ep. 141: What Actually Wins Chess Tournaments (And What’s Just Noise)
This week we dive into what separates winning amateur chess players from the rest - and what’s often just noise and distraction. We break down the skills, habits, and strategies that lead to consistent tournament success and explore common misconceptions that don’t actually impact performance as much as people think. Referenced: Ep. 65: Your First Chess Tournament - Tips & Tricks 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee

Feb 16, 2025 • 60min
Ep. 140: Chess Tournament Trickery & Shenanigans
You guys asked for more tournament stories, so this week Neal goes into full TD mode to discuss recent antics and shenanigans from the Long Island Chess Club. You can't make this stuff up! This is followed by an extended Listener Mailbag segment. Referenced: Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players Ep. 95: How to Use a Chess Engine as a Developing Player 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee